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Michael John Ciszewski (he/him) is a New York City-based comedian and actor whose work specializes in profound gay stupidity.
Recently awarded Solo Performer of the Year (Young-Howze Theatre Awards) and nominated for a Queer Performer’s Award (Edinburgh Fringe), Ciszewski’s comedy is rooted in queerness and healing. His debut solo show Everyone is Dying and So Am I premiered in July 2019 and then enjoyed sold-out performances in Boston and at Manhattan's Theatre Row and United Solo Theatre Festival—spotlighting the best in international solo performance. It was subsequently nominated for the festival’s audience award. His second solo effort The Sun is Sleeping was a full-length film composed at the start of the pandemic era that screened in virtual events from late 2020 into 2021.
His hit third solo hour Lovefool premiered in 2022 and has since played in venues ranging from proscenium and black box theatres to comedy clubs and festival stages in New York City, Boston, Providence, Provincetown, Jersey City, and Philadelphia. In Summer 2023, it enjoyed an eight-date tour of the Northeast on which it was named a Critic’s Pick by the Provincetown Independent and sold out Brooklyn’s Pete’s Candy Store.
Ciszewski’s fourth hour of comedy If Memory Serves debuted in February 2024 to a sold-out run in New York City before touring to Fort Lauderdale and Boston. In August 2024, it enjoyed a month-long run in Edinburgh, Scotland, presented by leading UK comedy producer Just the Tonic at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it was named the #50 top show of 3,600. It subsequently sold out performances at Philadelphia Fringe and an encore run in New York City
He performs stand-up across NYC stages including Stonewall Inn, Rodney’s, Bowery Ballroom, and The PIT, where he is currently in residency with his monthly variety show TGIF (TESTING GAY IDEAS FUNNY). Recent acting credits include Justin Halle’s VILE ISLE at Lenfest Center for the Arts and BENT at Umbrella Center for the Arts. Training: Boston University (BFA Theatre Arts) and LAMDA (Classical Acting).
Both Lovefool and If Memory Serves are available for booking now by reaching out to xomichaeljohn@gmail.com
Michael is a member of the staff of ArtsEmerson at Emerson College’s Office of the Arts. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and is a proud graduate of Boston University’s B.F.A. Theatre Arts program. Find him at xomichaeljohn.com—or @xomichaeljohn, wherever social media happens.